Sermons

Leo the Great (400–461)

Sermon I. Preached on His Birthday , or Day of Ordination.

Having been elected in absence he returns thanks for the kindness and earnestly demands the prayers of his church.

"Let my mouth speak the praise or the Lord ," and my breath and spirit, my flesh and tongue bless His holy Name. For it is a sign, not of a modest, but an ungrateful mind, to keep silence on the kindnesses of God: and it is very meet to begin our duty as consecrated pontiff with the sacrifices of the Lord's praise . Because "in our humility" the Lord "has been mindful of us " and has blessed us: because "He alone has done great wonders for me ," so that your holy affection for me reckoned me present, though my long journey had forced me to be absent. Therefore I give and always shall give thanks to our God for all the things with which He has recompensed me. Your favourable opinion also I acknowledge publicly, paying you the thanks I owe, and thus showing that I understand how much respect, love and fidelity your affectionate zeal could expend on me who long with a shepherd's anxiety for the safety of your souls, who have passed so conscientious a judgment on me, with absolutely no deserts of mine to guide you.…

See also

• More works by Leo the Great

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